Kathlyn (Auslam) Wood

Kathlyn (Auslam) Wood passed away peacefully in her apartment at Hearthstone, with family and friend by her side on March 9, 2015. Kathlyn was born July 6, 1921 to Josephine (Parker) Auslam and Dewey Auslam in Huntsville, Arkansas. She attended school there and married Robert O’Neal Wood in Flippin, Arkansas, on November 4, 1939.

Kathlyn and Robert started their life together in St. Charles, Arkansas, where Robert was in the CCC’s (civilian conservation corps). Later they returned to Flippin, Arkansas, where Kathlyn spent many years filling her days by raising a family – that included two wonderful but mischievous boys, Jerry and Bill, growing a large garden and farming. As their sons grew a little older they started traveling the U.S. extensively, while Robert worked construction.

Their two sons followed in their father’s footsteps working construction and settled in Washington State and started their own families. Kathlyn and Robert soon joined them, landing in Brewster, WA. After Robert’s passing in 1988, Kathlyn moved closer to her youngest son, Bill and his wife Sue. Kathlyn lived there for several years, enjoying her daily coffee time with her son, taking extended walks in the Brewster heat and continuing to garden until her family (and body) convinced her to rest a bit more. Kathlyn remained in Brewster until 2013, when she decided she would move into Hearthstone Cottage retirement center in Ellensburg, WA, and live closer to her oldest son, Jerry and his wife Gaye. Kathlyn spent her last two years there making many close friends, laughing, recalling vivid memories of the past and enjoying every day.

Kathlyn was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; youngest son, Bill; parents, Josephine and Dewey Auslam; brothers, Paul, Charles and John Auslam; and sisters, Laura Jane Auslam and Anna Lou Yarbrough. She is survived by her son, Jerry (Gaye) Wood of Ellensburg; daughter-in-law, Susan Wood of Spokane; sister, Mary Sue Emmit; and brother, Jim Auslam of Huntsville, Arkansas. She has five grandchildren, Frank (Kristen) Wood, Doug (Stacy) Wood, Craig (Nici) Wood, Robert (Cathy) Wood, and Tina (Kevin)Thorson. She has 10 great-grandchildren, Natasha Wood, Logan Wood, Madison Wood, Jackson Wood, Abby Wood, Clayton Wood, Christopher Jones, Brandy Jones, Ellie Jones and McTavish Jones.

A graveside service is planned for 11:00 am on March 20, 2015, in Brewster, Washington.

In Lieu of flowers, please show your love and support by donating to “Bikes for Books” at your Local Masonic Lodge (A reading achievement foundation for youth, founded by her son Bill Wood).

Nothing was more important to Kathlyn than her family, friends and God. She rests in his arms now, but will forever be in our hearts. Condolences for the family can be left at www.steward-williams.com.